Civil War Letter
Civil War Letter – Written by Soldier in
Battery B, 1st New York Light Artillery.
This Civil War soldier letter was written by Elbert E. Corbin (1835-1915), the son of Justus Corbin (1802-1874) and Amanda Hibbard (1811-1883) of Liverpool, Onondaga county, New York. In the 1850’s, Elbert’s father was in the salt manufacturing business and by 1860 had become a merchant in Liverpool.
Elbert’s first wife was Emily Marie Noyes (1834-1866). They married 17 June 1857 at Liverpool, NY. Emily bore Elbert two sons—Justus (“Jutty”) Noyes Corbin (1858-1923), and Royal (“Roy”) A. Corbin (1860-1928). Elbert’s second wife was Sarah Letitia Noyes (1845-1905) with whom he married after the war.
In mid-September 1861, Elbert enlisted as a private at Baldwinsville in
Battery B, 1st New York Light Artillery.
During a portion of his service, Elbert performed the duties of quartermaster sergeant or commissary sergeant as indicated in these letters. He mustered out of the Battery in mid September 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia.
Transcription
NOTE:  Letter unsigned, incomplete but still lots of content.
1st New York Artillery, Co. B
Camp Barry
Washington
December 16th 1861
My Dear Wife,
Yours of the tenth was received tonight and I thank you much for the long letter and thought I would begin the answer tonight. I will try and write tomorrow so as to send it Wednesday. I also got a good old fashioned letter from Clark. I have had a jaunt through the City again today and shall have tomorrow. I went tonight and got a general pass—i. e., a pass good till further orders—so I am alright anywhere within the Federal lines. I shall not begin to answer your questions tonight.
We have had a beautiful day. this afternoon we went with our heavy guns and had a target shoot. We hit it once—distance a little over one mile. Then we tried a lot of shell, Made some good line shot. I will tell you about my horsemanship tomorrow. Roll call and I must close. Good night. God bless you my loved ones, and keep you safe that we may meet again on earth. A kiss for you and the children.
Tuesday eve. has come. I have not found time to write a word today so I will begin and answer your letter. I have had a tramp again today and shall tomorrow. Oh no, I shan’t forget Sunday, and I mean in God’s help to live a Christian and a man that if I return you will know me as I left you. I shall try tomorrow to go and see Col. Hays. Father was right. He could not do much because Col. Hays was not here. I will explain as the wages some time. It is a Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant that gets $23 per month, not a Company Q. M. S.
Yes, I have a horse to take care of. He is a good fellow. He has been trained in the Cavalry some. I can ride him anywhere now. Yesterday as we were coming to camp from target shooting, we sergeants had a race running horses. You need not be ashamed of your soldier’s horsemanship. I can get up a gallop on a horse as [good as] any of them. Some of the higher officers I will ride around a cannon or a battery, so don’t be ashamed of me. Our Capt. has just got each of his non-commissioned officers a large Navy revolver so we are fixed. A heavy saber we have also. The Q. M. S. in infantry does not have a horse.
It has been very warm today. I went into the House of Representatives a little while today but could not stay as I had much business to do. You must have had a good time at the Society at Mr. Gleason’s. Aunt P. is very kind to take care of Roy for you. I am glad that you have got the money I sent you. I sent it to you for your use and you will do as you think proper. I have nothing to so with it after giving it to you. Is it not yours? My dear, you have done right for all that I can see. I will send you more after next pay day. I am glad if you have found something to give you pleasure in giving the pictures. True, it is a pleasure to give such things. I will try and send you some from here. Yes. Jutty, the sleigh is yours. I give it to you, my dear boy. I am glad you are such a good boy. I am sorry you had such a time with Roy but you must conquer him now. It is for his good. He is not too young to mind.
As to my boots, I begin to need them. I don’t know of any coming here very soon. So you better have them put in a small box and sent by Express (Adams Express) and send with them by Autograph Book. Do not forget it. Have Father pay the Express charges and take a receipt and I will tel you in this how to direct. You can send what else you think proper. As to clothes, I have enough except what I wrote for in my last. Any little knick knack that you can stick in will be acceptable and some lead for pistol balls if…
[unsigned]
TERMS
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